Newsletter July 2023

What is a Green Roof and why is it so important?  A green roof, also known as a living roof, is a roof that is partially or completely covered with vegetation. It is designed to support plant life and can range from simple grass to more complex gardens.

Benefits of green roofs, include:
•  Environmental Benefits: They help mitigate the urban heat island effect by reducing the surface temperature of the roof and the surrounding air. The plants absorb sunlight and release moisture through evapotranspiration, cooling the roof and the immediate environment. This reduces energy consumption for air conditioning and improves overall air quality.
•  Stormwater Management: Green roofs retain rainwater, reducing stormwater runoff and the burden on drainage systems. They absorb and store rainfall, releasing it slowly over time. This helps prevent flooding and eases the strain on urban infrastructure.
•  Energy Efficiency: The added insulation provided by green roofs helps regulate indoor temperatures by reducing heat transfer through the roof. This can lead to energy savings for cooling and heating, making buildings more energy-efficient and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
•  Biodiversity and Habitat Creation: Green roofs provide a habitat for various plant species, insects, birds, and other small animals, which can help support urban biodiversity. They contribute to creating green spaces in cities and can serve as corridors for wildlife movement.
•  Aesthetics and Well-being: Green roofs enhance the visual appeal of buildings, particularly in urban areas where green spaces may be limited. They offer recreational opportunities, create peaceful environments, and contribute to the well-being and mental health of residents and workers.

Green roofs can be implemented on various types of buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial structures. They can be extensive (with a thin layer of vegetation) or intensive (with deeper soil and a wider variety of plants). The choice of design depends on factors such as building structure, load-bearing capacity, and maintenance considerations.

At Civilistix we are aware that green roofs provide numerous benefits for both the environment and the inhabitants of buildings, making them a sustainable and valuable addition to urban landscapes.

I started Civilistix in 2019. With over 15 years civil engineering experience, I wanted to offer clients a quality one stop shop for all things Drainage, Highway and Utility related.

It has been an awesome experience building Civilistix into the dynamic company it is today.  I now have a team of fantastic engineers working with me delivering exciting projects all over the country and within all different sectors.

I am a Chartered Engineer (CEng MICE) and have extensive experience from initial planning and feasibility, through to detailed design and construction. I have sat on Local Council SuDS steering groups and have extensive experience of the planning process in relation to civil engineering works as well as negotiating our clients’ interests with third party technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Further to technical skills, I also have a broad range of project management, planning, legal and business development skills.  When I am not behind my desk, I am a keen cyclist and have done many overseas tours from the back of my bicycle and a few 100-mile events.  I firmly believe exercise is good for the body and the mind.

Civilistix Consulting Engineers were appointed to prepare a Detailed Surface & Foul Water Drainage Strategy to support a planning submission for the creation of a proposed educational building for the College of North-West London (CNWL), located in Wembley Park.

We followed the surface water disposal hierarchy as per Part H of the Building Regulations, The London Plan and Local Authority design stipulations.

We specified and initiated an intrusive Ground Investigation which confirmed infiltration discharge to be unsuitable due to recorded London Clay of extremely low porosity. Due to this and no nearby watercourses within vicinity of the site, we proposed a controlled surface water discharge (of 5.0 l/s) for all storm events up to and including the 100 year plus 40% climate change event to a nearby Thames Water Sewer.

We delivered SuDS in the form of permeable paving to all external hardstanding areas, geo-cellular storage and green roofs. These measures ensured sufficient treatment and attenuation storage volume as well as created amenity and biodiversity value to the development.

We worked in close collaboration with other specialist design consultants ensuring optimal drainage solutions could be identified and adopted in light of the relatively land-locked nature of the development.

The question often arises as to What is SuDS?
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) are drainage techniques that manage stormwater and runoff in urban areas in an environmentally sustainable manner.

They offer several benefits, including:
• Risk reduction: SuDS help control and attenuate the flow of stormwater, reducing the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.
• Water quality improvement: SuDS employ natural processes to remove pollutants from runoff, improving the quality of water before it reaches water bodies.
• Groundwater recharge: By promoting infiltration, SUDS help replenish groundwater resources, which is essential for drinking water supplies and ecosystems.
• Environmental enhancement: SuDS create green spaces, support biodiversity, improve air quality, and mitigate urban heat island effects.
• Climate change adaptation: SuDS aid in managing increased volumes of runoff and mitigating the impacts of climate change-induced rainfall patterns.
• Cost-effectiveness: SuDS can be more cost-effective in the long term by reducing maintenance and repair costs and preventing damage caused by flooding.
• Regulatory compliance: Many jurisdictions require SuDS implementation in new developments to meet environmental regulations and ensure sustainable urban planning.

In summary, SuDS are drainage systems that provide flood control, improve water quality, support groundwater recharge, enhance the environment, aid in climate change adaptation, offer cost savings, and meet regulatory requirements.  We at Civilistix have helped many clients with their SuDS requirements for building projects from all sectors.

Our business is growing from strength to strength.  As such we have a position available for a Civil engineer.   If you would like to join our team, why not have a look at the details on our career section of our website or send your CV to Karen at:

Karen@civilistix.com.

We would love to chat to you, about your future with us!